Clearlake police dog reportedly helps track down fleeing man

CLEARLAKE -- A Clearlake man was arrested early Saturday after authorities allege he fled officers, crashed his vehicle into a tree and ran away before finally being tracked down with the help of a police dog.

Douglas Levine, 32, remains in custody at the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility facing charges including evading police, resisting a peace officer and possessing drug paraphernalia, along with outstanding warrants, according to county records.

According to Clearlake Police, officer Alan Collier was on patrol in the area of Toyon Street and Arrowhead Road in Clearlake about 11:15 p.m. Friday when he observed a vehicle parked on the side of the road with its headlights on.

The officer drove up and recognized the occupant as Levine, whom he knew had outstanding arrest warrants, police stated.

When Collier approached the vehicle and told Levine to turn off the car, Levine suddenly accelerated and sped off at a high rate of speed, with Collier soon in pursuit, according to police.

After following the vehicle through several streets, Collier momentarily lost sight of the car but then saw that it crashed into a tree with Levine nowhere in sight, police stated.

Other officers responded, including officer Mike Carpenter and his K-9, "Dex."

Carpenter and "Dex" began tracking Levine and located him approximately 150 yards away from the crash site, police stated. Levine reportedly surrendered without incident and was taken into custody.

Police allege Levine was arrested for a similar offense in Clearlake last November.